Board Meeting Agenda for December 9, 2024

ESCA MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE ESCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Placitas Community Library
9 December 2024
Meeting 4:00 to 5:30

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests

5. MONTHLY REPORT

  • A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne
    Status of Directors and Officers (D&O) liability insurance
  • B. IT Report – Jim
  • C. Washington report – Mary Rose
  • d. Buffalo Tract update – Myron

6. OLD BUSINESS

  • A. Annual Meeting Report – George

7. NEW BUSINESS

  • A. ESCA Schedule for 2025, zoom meeting, annual Meeting – Board

8. OPEN DISCUSSION

  • A. Discussion with U.S. Forest, training program, public action, and “forestry and Fuels Grants”- Myron.
  • B. Vulcan mine reports from consultant on reclamation – Myon
  • C. County Maintenance of Manzano during erosion problems – Board
  • D. How much detail should go into the minutes. Board

9. Adjournment

Next meeting 13 January 2025 Monthly meetings at the Placitas Library in person 4:00PM

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Board Meeting Minutes for November 17, 2024

ESCA_Minutes_2024-11-17

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Board Meeting Agenda for November 17, 2024

 ESCA MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE ESCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Annual Meeting Agenda
Placitas Community Library
17 November 2024

Social Hour 3:00 to 4:00
Meeting 4:00 to 5:30

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

  •   Introduce Board of Directors

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests

 5. MONTHLY REPORT

  • A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne
  • B. IT Report – Jim
  • C. Washington report – Mary Rose

 6. OLD BUSINESS

A. Donations and Administrative cost – George

B. Adopt- A-highway 26th of Oct, 9PM – Phil

7. NEW BUSINESS

None

 8. GUEST SPEAKERS

  • A. U.S. Forest Service – Phil Rudy, Ranger
  • B. Buffalo Tract – LPA President, Sandy Johnson
  • C. Vulcan Gravel Mine – Plant manager. Eric Fletcher
  • D. Sandoval County Commission – Katherine Bruch

 9. OPEN DISCUSSION

10. Adjournment

Next meeting 9 Dec. 2024 Monthly meetings at the Placitas Library in person 4:00PM

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Board Meeting Minutes – October 14, 2024

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting Minutes
14 October 2024
4:00 PM

 

A. Call to order. President George Franzen called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.

B. Roll Call. Directors present, representing a quorum: George Franzen, Wayne Gaede, Gary Madee, Phil Messuri, Rich Reif, Jacques Ramey, and Jean Roberts. Myron Temchin and Jim Harre were absent, due to a family emergency and travel respectively.

C. Minutes: Minutes from the September meeting were approved.

D. Introduction of Guests: Mary-Rose de Valladares, Chair of the Land Protection Trust; Bob Gorrell.

E. Monthly Reports

1. Treasurer’s Report: Wayne Gaede reported a balance for ESCA in US Bank as of the end of last month of $6,478.94. Income included $550 in dues and $0.02 interest. Expenses totaled $831.81. At US Eagle, ESCA had a balance at the end of last month of $36,546.91. Income included $0.04 in interest on the savings account and $131.31 on the CD, and no expenses. The total of ESCA’s accounts at both institutions was $43,025.85.

The US Bank balance for LPT as of last month was $2,302.90, with no income or expenses for the month. The US Eagle account balance for LPT at the end of last month was $31,350.26. Income for the month was $0.04 in interest on the savings account, $112.55 in interest on the CD, and no expenses. The total of LPT’s accounts at both institutions was $33,653.16.

2. IT Report: Jim Harre reported by email that ESCA has 46 standard members and 54 joint members, for a total of 110 votes.

3. Buffalo Tract Report: In Myron’s absence, Mary-Rose reported that he has distributed a request for proposals (RFP) and is following up with several consultants who responded. Las Placitas Association, Myron, and Mary-Rose are working together to determine how to take into consideration a new BLM conservation rule, which may require an RFP amendment that would add an environmental assessment to the scope of work. The conservation rule has not been well defined yet.

4. Buffalo Tract RMP and Legislation: Mary-Rose reported that the Governor’s office is planning to comment on the BLM’s Resource Management Plan. Some local pueblos are asking to meet with the BLM, and they have the comments submitted by ESCA and Las Placitas Association. Mary-Rose also provided our comments to Sandoval County officials. On legislation, Congress is in recess.

F. Old Business:

1. Election of Board Officers: Jim Harre reported by email that all board members up for re-election were elected by a wide margin. –CLOSED

2. ESCA Annual Meeting: George reported that Sandy Johnson of Las Placitas Association will speak about Buffalo Tract developments. Gary Madee contacted Forest Service personnel, one or more of whom will attend and speak. George will also ask Ron Overley to ask for a speaker from Vulcan Mine to address what will happen in September 2026. –OPEN—George, Board

3. Donations and Administrative Cost: Wayne confirmed that he sent the $1,000 check to the Placitas Elementary School’s Parent Teacher Organization. Wayne moved that we donate $300 each to KUPR and Casa Rosa, and an administrative payment of $600 to Placitas Community Library. Rich seconded the motion. The motion passed. –OPEN – Board

4. Adopt-A-Highway: Phil Messuri reminded the board that this effort is scheduled for Oct. 26, 9am. He is sending a second reminder to members, and he has requested safety vests from NMDOT. –OPEN – Phil

5. Letter Concerning Recommendations to County on Vulcan Reclamation: George reported that he and Myron Temchin are recommending that Mt. Adams hire an independent, third-party quality assurance company that can assure that they are following Federal and State reclamation rules. George provided a letter, which would be sent to the Sandoval County manager and lawyer, the County Commission chair, Commissioner Katherine Bruch, and Mt. Adams. Rich moved that we send this letter, and Wayne seconded the motion. The motion passed.

G. New Business:

1. Abandoned Pipeline Material on Buffalo Tract: Phil reported that the pipeline company has removed leftover materials on the Buffalo Tract. –CLOSED

H. Open Discussion:

1. Signpost article: George will check with Sandy Johnson to learn how Las Placitas Association has been successful in submitting articles to the Signpost. – OPEN—George

I. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 pm.

Next meeting: 4 pm, November 17, 2024, at the Placitas Community Library.

 

 

 

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Board Meeting Agenda for October 14, 2024

 ESCA MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE ESCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting Agenda
Placitas Community Library
14 October 2024
4:00 PM

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests

5. MONTHLY REPORT

A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne

B. IT Report – Jim

C. Buffalo Tract status – Myron

D. Buffalo Tract RMP and legislation – Mary Rose

6. OLD BUSINESS

A. Election of Board of Directors – Jim

B. ESCA Annual Meeting, Speaker, set-up and refreshments – Board

C. Donations and administrative cost – Board

D. Adopt- A-highway 26th of Oct, 9PM – Phil

E. Letter concerning recommendations to County, Reclamation – Myron

7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Abandoned Pipeline Material on Buffalo Tract – Board – Phil 

8. OPEN DISCUSSION

9. Article for Signpost – Board

10. Adjournment

Next meeting 17 Nov. 2024 Annual & Monthly meetings at the Placitas Library in person 4:00PM

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Board Meeting Minutes – September 9, 2024

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting Minutes

9 September 2024

4:00 PM

 

A. Call to order. President George Franzen called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.

B. Roll Call. Directors present, representing a quorum: George Franzen, Jim Harre, Gary Madee, Phil Messuri, Rich Reif, and Jean Roberts. Wayne Gaede, Jacques Ramey, and Myron Temchin were absent.

C. Minutes: Minutes from the August meeting were approved.

D. Introduction of Guests: Vicki Gottlieb and Rick Bela.

E. Monthly Reports

1. Treasurer’s Report: Wayne Gaede reported a balance for ESCA in US Bank as of the end of last month of $6,760.73. Income included a $1,000 donation from Jardineros, $500 in dues, and $0.02 interest. Expenses were $16.92 for credit card fees. At US Eagle, ESCA had a balance at the end of last month of $36,415.56. Income included $0.04 in interest on the savings account and $135.19 on the CD, and no expenses. The total of ESCA’s accounts at both institutions was $43,176.29.

The US Bank balance for LPT as of last month was $2,302.90, with no income or expenses for the month. The US Eagle account balance for LPT at the end of last month was $31,237.67. Income for the month was $0.04 in interest on the savings account, $115.87 in interest on the CD, and no expenses. The total of LPT’s accounts at both institutions was $33,540.57.

2. IT Report: Jim Harre reported that ESCA has 47 standard members and 31 joint members, for a total of 109 votes.

3. Buffalo Tract Report: George reported that Las Placitas Association has signed the New Mexico Economic Development grant. They will be working with BLM on an environmental impact statement for the various recreational uses under consideration. LPA and Mary-Rose de Valladares reviewed the lengthy Resource Management Plan produced by the BLM and crafted a response to the BLM.

George also reported that the Vulcan mine reclamation will be sloped to the center of the mine as originally proposed. The berm around the mine will be removed during reclamation, but the land will not be compacted. The reseeding will be done during a seasonally appropriate time.

F. Old Business:

1. Communication With Members: George reported that he received positive comments about the ESCA email listing community events. He asked Jean to continue this effort, which Jim will send to the ESCA membership. –CLOSED

2. ESCA Bylaws Changes: Rich confirmed that ESCA is not required to submit a copy of our revised bylaws to the State of New Mexico. –CLOSED

G. New Business:

1. Election of Board Officers: Jim will work on a ballot for at-large board members who will be up for re-election. OPEN-Jim

2. ESCA Annual Meeting Date Change: George noted that the date of the annual meeting will change to Sunday, November 17, because the room was unavailable on the previous date. George will write an announcement that Jim will send to ESCA members. OPEN-George, Jim

3. Expenses for Donations and Administrative Costs: Phil moved that ESCA donate $1,000 to the Placitas Elementary Parent Teachers Organization to provide a field trip to a Popejoy Hall show for all their students. Jim seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. We will discuss possible donations to the library, Casa Rosa, and KUPR at the next meeting. OPEN–George

4. Adopt-A-Highway: The fall cleanup will be Saturday, October 26, 9am. OPEN – Phil, Jim.

5. Marketing Brochure: Phil reported that he is working on a new tri-fold brochure. Jim will send the ESCA logo and any other artwork. OPEN—Phil, Jim

6. Pipeline Replacement: George noted complaints about a portion of an abandoned pipeline near the area where the existing pipeline is being replaced. The segment does not belong to the company working on the replacement. Phil will check on various cleanup efforts before our next meeting, and we will decide whether to contact the BLM. OPEN–Phil

H. Open Discussion:

1. Signpost article: No article needed at this time.

I. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:02 pm.

  Next meeting: 4 pm, October 14, 2024, at the Placitas Community Library.

 

 

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Board Meeting Agenda for September 9, 2024

ESCA MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND
THE ESCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting Agenda
Placitas Community Library
9 September 2024
4:00 PM

1. Call to order               

2. Roll Call 

3. Acceptance of minutes                             

4. Introduction of Guests 

5. MONTHLY REPORT

A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne

B. IT Report – Jim

C. Buffalo Tract recreation Grant status – Myron

D. Buffalo Tract RMP and legislation – Mary Rose

 6. OLD BUSINESS

A. Best way and what to communicate with Members – Board

B. Documentation of changes to the ESCA’s Bylaws – Rich

7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Election of Board Office – George

B. ESCA Annual Meeting Date Change to 17 Nov 24 – George

C. Expenses for donations and administrative cost – Board

D. Adopt-A-Highway, Fall Clean up, Sat. Oct. 26th at 9:00 AM- Board

 8. OPEN DISCUSSION

9. Article for Signpost – Board

10. Adjournment

Next meeting 14 October 2024 at the Placitas Library in person 4:00PM

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Boad Meeting Minutes – August 12, 2024

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting Minutes

12 August 2024

4:00 PM

 

A. Call to order. President George Franzen called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.

B. Roll Call. Directors present, representing a quorum: George Franzen, Wayne Gaede, Jim Harre, Phil Messuri, Jacques Ramey, Rich Reif, and Jean Roberts. Gary Madee and Myron Temchin were absent.

C. Minutes: Minutes from the July meeting were approved.

D. Introduction of Guests: LPT Chair Mary-Rose Valladares, County Commissioner Katherine Bruch, Judy Labovitz, Vicki Gottlieb, and Lance Voss.

E. Monthly Reports

1. Treasurer’s Report: Wayne Gaede reported a balance for ESCA in US Bank as of the end of last month of $5,277.63. Income included $225 in dues and $0.02 interest. Expenses were $7.73 for credit card fees. At US Eagle, ESCA had a balance at the end of last month of $36,280.33. Income included $0.04 in interest on the savings account and $134.68 on the CD, and no expenses. The total of ESCA’s accounts at both institutions was $41,557.96.

The US Bank balance for LPT as of last month was $2,302.90, with no income or expenses for the month. The US Eagle account balance for LPT at the end of last month was $31,121.76. Income for the month was $0.04 in interest on the savings account, $115.44 in interest on the CD, and no expenses. The total of LPT’s accounts at both institutions was $33,424.66.

2. IT Report: Jim Harre reported that ESCA has 48 standard members and 32 joint members, for a total of 112 votes.

3. LPT Report: Mary-Rose reported that the BLM’s Resource Management Plan (RMP) was released August 12, comprising four volumes. The withdrawal of the Buffalo Tract from mining will need to be added once the withdrawal period is completed. Mary-Rose is working with Las Placitas Association to review the RMP. The withdrawal period provides for a 30-day period for any public protest, which ends September 8 and will need to be in writing. The Governor of New Mexico will have 60 days to approve or disapprove the RMP.

In an email to the Board, Myron Temchin reported that Las Placitas Association has signed the New Mexico Economic Development grant, with regard to the Buffalo Tract. An organizational meeting was held on August 8, which included steps to hire an environmental consultant.

 4. Fuel Reduction Project USFS Report: George reported that the Forest Service is required to acquire reports from a broad range of agencies to determine the implications of their plans to reduce the chances of a fire. Funding, timing, and the method of fuel reduction will then be determined. Gary Madee is attempting to set up a meeting with USFS, preferably with the entire community.

 5. Status of the Buffalo Tract Grant: George reported that Las Placitas Association is ready to sign the paperwork for the grant, and at their request, George provided a letter to explain ESCA’s role in working with LPA.

 F. Old Business:

1. Communication With Members: George asked Jean to gather information about community events each month that Jim can send out to the ESCA membership. OPEN—Jean, Jim.

2. ESCA Bylaws Changes: George confirmed that the bylaws change has been completed. Rich Reif will research whether the bylaws need to be submitted to the State of New Mexico. OPEN-Rich

3. Motion by Gary Madee on Sandia Fuel Reduction Project: George reported that the motion asking the USFS to consider lessons learned in previous New Mexico fires was approved by the board and submitted to the USFS. CLOSED

4. Vulcan Recommended Drainage Change: ESCA is recommending that the agreement to end mining and reclaim the land not be reopened. A letter to this effect was sent to the County. ESCA has not received a plan, and Commissioner Bruch noted that the County has not received a plan, either. She also commented that Vulcan’s recommendation is still tentative, but that Placitas has flood control problems and may want to organize to address this in the future. Resident Lance Voss expressed concern that Vulcan and Mount Adams have not divulged plans for the future of the land. Mary-Rose commented that Planning and Zoning has no plans to amend the Placitas master plan, which would be a major undertaking. CLOSED

5. E-Bikes in ABQ Open Space: Jean reported that the Albuquerque City Council met on August 5 to consider the E-bike ordinance, which passed in an 8 to 1 vote. ESCA provided a letter to each member of the council asking that they vote against the ordinance. The letter was included in a packet put together by a coalition of Albuquerque organizations opposing the ordinance. CLOSED

G. New Business:

1. Pipeline Work on the Buffalo Tract: George reported that the new pipeline will be installed and buried but the old pipeline will not be removed. CLOSED

2. Election of Board Office: George reported that each of the board members whose terms are ending have agreed to continue. We will discuss the election at the next meeting. OPEN

H. Open Discussion:

1. Signpost article: No article needed at this time.

2. Jardineros donation: Wayne noted that we have received a $1,000 donation from Jardineros, and we need to provide a response with how the money helped us perform our mission.

I. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 pm.

  Next meeting: 4 pm, September 9, 2024, at the Placitas Community Library.

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Board Meeting Agenda for August 12, 2024

ESCA MEMBERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ATTEND THE ESCA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting Agenda
12 Aug 2024
4:00 PM

1. Call to order

2. Roll Call

3. Acceptance of minutes

4. Introduction of Guests

 5. MONTHLY REPORT

A. Treasurer’s Report – Wayne

B. IT Report – Jim

C. Fuel Reduction Project USFS Report, Washington report – George – Mary Rose

D. Status of the Buffalo Tract Grant- Myron

 6. OLD BUSINESS

A. Best way and what to communicate with Members – Board

B. Documentation of changes to the ESCA’s Bylaws – Rich – George – Wayne

C. Motion by Gary Madee on Sandia Fuel Reduction Project – George

D. Vulcan Recommended Drainage Plan change for gravel mine reclamation – George

E. The E- Bike on the ABQ Open Space, City of ABQ Ordinance – Jean – George

7. NEW BUSINESS

A. Pipeline work on the Buffalo Tract – George

B. Election of Board Office – George

 8. OPEN DISCUSSION

 9. Article for Signpost – Board

10. Adjournment

Next meeting 9 September 2024 at the Placitas Library in person 4:00PM

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Board Meeting Minutes – July 8, 2024

EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting Minutes
8 July 2024
4:00 PM

 

A. Call to order. President George Franzen called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm via Zoom.

B. Roll Call. Directors present, representing a quorum: George Franzen, Wayne Gaede, Jim Harre, Phil Messuri, Rich Reif, and Jean Roberts. Gary Madee, Jacques Ramey, and Myron Temchin were absent.

C. Minutes: Minutes from the June meeting were approved.

D. Introduction of Guests: Chris Daul, Bob Gorrell, and Lance Voss. Makayla Roberts of the Garrity Group, representing Vulcan mine owner Mt. Adams, noted that she was in attendance to listen to the discussion and provide feedback to Mt. Adams.

E. Monthly Reports

1. Treasurer’s Report: Wayne Gaede reported a balance for ESCA in US Bank as of the end of last month of $5,060.34. Income included $375 in dues and $0.02 interest. Expenses of $973.73 included credit card fees, D&O insurance renewal, and Post Office box renewal. At US Eagle, ESCA had a balance at the end of last month of $36,145.61. Income included $0.03 in interest on the savings account and $129.86 on the CD, and no expenses. The total of ESCA’s accounts at both institutions was $41,205.95.

The US Bank balance for LPT as of last month was $2,302.90, with no income or expenses for the month. The US Eagle account balance for LPT at the end of last month was $30,835.94. Income for the month was $0.03 in interest on the savings account, $111.31 in interest on the CD, and no expenses. The total of LPT’s accounts at both institutions was $31,006.28.

Wayne confirmed that he plans to instruct the credit card company to reject charges for the Microsoft subscription, which we no longer have and have been unable to contact them.

2. IT Report: Jim Harre reported that ESCA has 47 standard members and 37 joint members, for a total of 111 votes.

3. Fuel Reduction Project/USFS Meeting Report: George reported that last month, Myron Temchin gave a presentation to the District head of the Forest Service and other USFS officials. George also reviewed the lengthy Forest Service process that will take place before any decisions are made regarding fuel reduction and a proposed controlled burn in the Placitas area. The process includes an opportunity for community input, and he noted that the USFS is still in the early planning stages of this project.

4. Land Protection Trust (LPT) Report: LPT Chair Mary-Rose de Valladares was unable to attend but provided an email report. She has met in person with Subcommittee clerks on both sides of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to urge inclusion of the Buffalo Tract in any 2024 land use package. She is also reviewing the final draft of the proposed Las Placitas Association contract with State and Federal authorities.

F. Old Business:

1. Communication With Members: Discussion delayed until the next meeting. — OPEN.

2. ESCA Bylaws Changes: George and Rich are making final adjustments before submitting the changes to the State, so that the bylaws change can be notarized and reported as required. OPEN—Rich, George, Wayne

3. Vulcan Land Reclamation: After discussion of Vulcan’s plan, Board members agreed that we do not have the expertise to assess the effects of the changes on water flowing to, under, and beyond I-25, and that Sandoval County should be involved in the issue. Phil volunteered to draft a motion for email vote. OPEN—Phil

4. Controlled Burn Issue: George noted that the motion drafted by Gary Madee urging the USFS to use lessons learned in previous controlled burns was approved in an email vote. CLOSED

G. New Business:

1. Albuquerque Open Space Vote on E-Bike Access: George asked that Jean resend the proposed ordinance to the board. Jean noted that the Albuquerque City Council vote on this ordinance will take place August 5. George will contact Sandy Johnson to learn where LPA stands on this issue, which would affect e-bike usage on the Buffalo Tract. Bob Gorrell suggested contacting ESCAFA as well. —OPEN—Jean, George

H. Open Discussion:

1. Signpost article: No article needed at this time.

2. Pipeline Work in Placitas: Phil volunteered to track this issue for ESCA. Repair work is currently underway on the Buffalo Tract north of Sundance Mesa and La Mesa.

I. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 pm.

  Next meeting: 4 pm, August 12, 2024, at the Placitas Community Library.

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